Arsenal crashed out of the FA Cup quarter-finals as Southampton produced a sensational 2-1 win at St Mary’s.
The Premier League leaders, playing their first match since losing the Carabao Cup final, were undone by Ross Stewart’s opener and a late strike from substitute Shea Charles. Viktor Gyokeres had levelled for Arsenal on 68 minutes, but Saints held firm and hit the Gunners with Charles’ expert finish in the 85th minute.
Southampton will head to Wembley for a semi-final, awaiting the winner of ties involving Manchester City, Chelsea, West Ham or Leeds. The Championship hopefuls briefly revived memories of the club’s 1976 FA Cup triumph.
Team news and context
Arsenal arrived as heavy favourites despite a disrupted build-up. Declan Rice and Bukayo Saka were absent after pulling out of England duty; William Saliba, Gabriel, Martin Zubimendi and Noni Madueke were included in the squad despite recent concerns. Gabriel started alongside teen Max Dowman.
Southampton set up to exploit breaks, with Leo Scienza particularly influential, causing problems for Arsenal’s back line throughout the match.
Key moments
– Early on, Martin Ødegaard was denied from 20 yards by Daniel Peretz; Dowman and Kai Havertz had chances as Arsenal looked to find rhythm.
– The opening goal came when Ben White misjudged a long ball, allowing Ross Stewart to bring the ball down and rifle home on 35 minutes, sparking wild scenes in the stands.
– After half-time, Scienza’s curling effort struck the crossbar as Saints went close again.
– Mikel Arteta made a triple substitution; one change paid off when Havertz fed Gyokeres, who finished sharply to equalise on 68 minutes. Gabriel then limped off and was replaced by Saliba.
– With the game drifting, Southampton squeezed forward and substitute Shea Charles converted in the 85th minute to seal a famous victory.
Player ratings (selected)
Southampton: Peretz (8), Bree (8), Wood (8), Fellows (8), Scienza (9), Stewart (8). Subs Edozie (7), Charles (8).
Arsenal: Arrizabalaga (5), White (5), Mosquera (5), Gabriel (5), Norgaard (5), Ødegaard (5), Havertz (6), Dowman (7). Subs Gyokeres (7), Saliba (6).
Player of the Match: Leo Scienza
Reactions
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta: “I love my players, what they have done for nine months. I’m not going to criticise them for losing here. … If someone has to take responsibility, that’s me. We have the most beautiful period ahead of us. Normally you have two or three moments like this in a season, this is the first moment with level of difficulty. Let’s stand up, make ourselves count.”
Southampton boss Tonda Eckert: “I’m very proud of my players. We had to live off moments. The game always has the chance to shift with substitutions in the second half and I think we reacted well. It will be nice to celebrate a bit but then we open up Wrexham and Championship football tomorrow, and then we are ready to go.”
What it means for Arsenal
Arsenal remain nine points clear of Manchester City at the top of the Premier League, but cup exits and mounting injuries raise questions about momentum as City hit form. Arsenal’s next fixtures are a busy period that will test their resolve:
Upcoming fixtures
– Tue Apr 7: Sporting (A) – Champions League
– Sat Apr 11: Bournemouth (H) – Premier League
– Wed Apr 15: Sporting (H) – Champions League
– Sun Apr 19: Man City (A) – Premier League
– Sat Apr 25: Newcastle (H) – Premier League
– Sat May 2: Fulham (H) – Premier League
For Southampton, the win is a major boost as they dream of a deep cup run while continuing their league campaign.
